Celtics: Boston set for key clash in Orlando

This probably won't be the last time the Celtics travel to Orlando this season. The question of whether the next time Boston heads to Disney World will be for Game 1 or Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals might have a lot to do with what happens tonight.

By Scott Souza/Daily News staff

MetroWest Daily News, Framingham, MA

By Scott Souza/Daily News staff

Posted Mar. 25, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 25, 2009 at 5:08 PM

By Scott Souza/Daily News staff

Posted Mar. 25, 2009 at 12:01 AM
Updated Mar 25, 2009 at 5:08 PM

» Social News

This probably won't be the last time the Celtics travel to Orlando this season.

The question of whether the next time Boston heads to Disney World will be for Game 1 or Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals might have a lot to do with what happens tonight.

The Celtics (54-18) enter the game (ESPN, 8 p.m.) tied in the loss column with the Magic (52-18) as the squads battle for the No. 2 seed in the conference playoffs. A Boston victory tonight would go a long way toward locking up that second seed, giving the Celtics a two-game lead on the Magic and a 3-1 edge in the season-series. A loss and it remains a fight to the finish as the Magic move even in the standings, even in the head-to-head tiebreaker and a game closer in the second tiebreaker of conference record, where the Celtics stand at 34-9 and the Magic follow at 31-11.

"It's big, all the games from now on are big," Eddie House said after Monday night's sluggish, 90-77 victory over the Clippers. "If Cleveland slips and we continue to get games and win games then maybe we can get that first seed. But if we don't, we've got to make sure we take care ... and get the second seed."

For a team that was staring down the Cavaliers at the top until the past two weeks, the second seed is a significant consolation prize. The Celtics relied heavily on homecourt advantage through last year's championship run, but a third seed would mean they might have to win as the lower seed in three straight series to defend their title.

"We've been talking about Cleveland and Orlando all year," said Ray Allen. "They beat us last time here on our floor so this is a big game for us."

The last result, however, deserves an asterisk the size of a small planet. The Celtics were without both Kevin Garnett and Rajon Rondo for that 96-89 loss on March 8 - with Stephon Marbury forced into the starting lineup in only his fifth game back after a 14-month hiatus - and still managed to whittle a 22-point deficit down to three in the final minutes.

Yet there were lessons learned in that game that went beyond simply the need to get healthy, which the Celtics are looking to implement for any long series between the clubs.

"Last time they came in here, I thought they took advantage of us and just outworked and outmanned us," Kendrick Perkins said. "We just have to go in with a more physical mind-set."

Having Garnett back will help, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers insisted before Monday night's game that he would not go for broke just because of the opponent. After playing 15 minutes in each of his first two games back from missing 30 days with a knee strain, Garnett played 17 minutes Monday night. Rivers said not to expect much more tonight.

Page 2 of 2 - "The tough thing with him is that when you play him a long stretch he gets better toward the end of those minutes," Rivers said. "It's like he's warming up. But you know the minute you take him out, that's it. The next step is being able to put him back in."

While the Celtics were hoping to be battling for the top seed at this point - they are five games behind the Cavs (57-13) in the loss column with 10 games to play - the Magic might be considered fortunate to still have a shot at second place. Orlando appeared to be on the edge of falling back to the pack following All-Star point guard Jameer Nelson's season-ending shoulder injury before the All-Star game, but regained its footing with help of a trade deadline deal for veteran Rafer Alston.

But the key to the Magic is Dwight Howard. With averages of 21.0 points, 13.9 rebounds and 3.0 blocks, he is on the MVP periphery. He has posted 38 double-doubles in his last 45 games, including four 20-20 efforts.

Howard's immense presence inside, along with big frontcourt players in Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu who can step way outside and knock down the 3-pointer, makes Orlando perhaps the most unusual team to match up against in the East.

"Getting back in transition and getting to their shooters," said Allen of the strategy. "They've got a lot of shooters, they keep the floor spaced and we just got to keep our paint tight, but at the same time get out to their shooters."

A win tonight could mean securing homecourt advantage for at least the first two rounds of the playoffs. It's important, Rivers allowed, but still not the biggest priority right now.

"We're not going to get the No. 1 seed," he declared for the second time in a week. "So our first priority is to get healthy. We feel we can win anywhere in the playoffs."

(Scott Souza is a Daily News staff writer. He can be reached at 781-398-8006 or ssouza@cnc.com.)